How to Clean Outdoor Furniture

When spring rolls around each year, I find myself suddenly stuck with a backyard full of dirty and disused outdoor furniture. It can be hard to muster the motivation to clean, but it’s actually pretty manageable once you know what to expect.

Set Yourself up for Success
Tip number one is to start with a set of furniture that’s designed to make your job easier. One of the big reasons I made the switch to resin was to help make my annual spring cleaning easier. Goodbye rust and dents—and good riddance! The benefits of resin are many: it’s durable, versatile, and easy to clean, and it looks great in just about any space or style of home.

Cache Those Cushions
Another quick tip before we get into the nitty gritty of cleaning your outdoor furniture: keep your cushions tucked away in a deck box or shed when they’re not being used. Trust me, it’s worth the hassle of having to take them out and put them away in order to save yourself a major headache when cleaning. Plus, nobody wants to sit on a soggy cushion, right?

Resin, Set, Go!
If you’ve followed the first two tips, the actual cleaning should be a cinch. Get yourself an all-purpose cleaner (such as 409, Fantastic, Simple Green—or good old-fashioned soapy water), a soft bristle brush, and an old towel or rag. Spray the item down from top to bottom (this will help push dirt and grime downwards), then tackle the problem areas with the brush.

Repeat the steps above for each of the resin items in your backyard, including furniture and even deck boxes and sheds. Lastly, and most importantly, get out there and enjoy your space!